Vehicle-lamp.



L. F. DlXON,

VEHICLE LAMP.

APPLICATIN FILED IAN. 5, |914.

ffgfp'm Eatemed Dec. l2, 19H3.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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LAURENS P. DIXON, 0F NEW' YORK, 1\T. Y.

vnnionnnaivir.

Specieation of Letters Patent.

ljatented Dec.. 12, 191106.

Application filed January 6, 1914. Serial No. 810,604..

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LAUnnNs P. DIXON, a citizen of the UnitedV States, and a resident oi' New York, county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vehicleliamps, of which the following is a i'ull, clear, and exact specilication.

This inventionv .relates more particularly to a class of lamps adapted to be used in conjunction with automobiles, or like vehicles.

My invention has for its object primarily to provide a lamp designed to be applied especially upon the rear end of an automobile, or other vehicle tor permitting the custon'iary red danger light to be exhibited `at night as well as allowing the license number of the vehicleI to be clearly shown, and which also enables a signal to be displayed whereby a warning may be given when the speed at which the vehicle may be traveling is checked, thereby obviating frequent accidents by overcoming all doubt at night as to whether the vehicle is traveling, or not. This is accomplished mainly by providing a, casing composed of an outer hollow' section having an open underside, and an inne]` hollow section which 'is hingedly connected to the outer section so as to be directed inwardly or outwardly of the outer section, and this inner section is formed of side wallsso that when inserted in the outer section the walls thereof will serve as a removable partition for dividing the casing into upper and lower compartments. Mounted on the inner section are two electric lamps ot any suitable types of electric bulbs, and these lamps are lighted by electricity leadaying from a battery carried in the vehicle. (lne of these lamps is adapted to be ligh'ted at night tor exhibiting the usual steadily burning red danger light and also the license number, while the second lamp is .adapted to be intermittently lighted for showing as a signal the word Stop.

(lther objects ofthe invention are to proj vide means for reniovably mounting the lamps in super-posed relation so that one is disposed in each chamber of the casing; to provide means for permitting the current to be supplied to the steadily burning electric lamp; to provide means whereby the electric circuit may be intermittently closed ilor lighting the Stop signal lamp by applyF ing the brake which checksthc vehicle; and toaprovide in the lower chamber refiectors frame of the section.

adapted to retract the rays of light from the lamp therein directly upon the license number.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying' draw ing forming a part of this specification in which similar' characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, the said invention being more fully described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of one form of vehicle lamp embodying` my invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line II--II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ltransparent plate and its frame provided in the lower part of the frame of the second section of the lamp. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan oi' the upper part of the Fig. is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit for supplying` current to the lamps. liig. 6 is a top plan of a form of socket employed for mounting the incandescent bulbs in the lamp. Fig. 7 isa longitudinal vertical section Ataken through the socket. Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of one of the incandescent bulbsused in the lamp, and Fig. 9 is an inverted plan of the incandescent bulb.

The lamp has a casing 10 constructed with two interttting hollow sections 11 and 12 to provide an upper chamber 13 and a lower chamber 14 therein. The hollow section 11 has a. iront wall 15, a rear wall 1G which is spaced from the front wall, and the edges of these walls are connected bv side walls 17, 18, and a top wall 19. The section 11 is thereby provided with an open underside 19. rThrough the lower part of the front wall 15 is a circular opening 20 in which is mounted a plate of glass, or other transparent material Q0 of preferably a red color through whichrays of light are projected for displaying the customary danger night signal, and through the upper part of the front wallv is a curved elongated opening 21 in which may be mounted a plate of glass, or other transparent material, as 22, o' white or a different color from the red transparent plate 2U". The transparent. plate 22 has the word Stop7 inscribed thereon, as shown, or instead of the openingnind this glass plate the word Stop may ibe stamped out of the front wall so as to be clearly discernible to an observer. Approximately centrally of the exterior of the rear'wall 16 Y may be of any well-known form adapted te removably fasten the lamp to the back of a vehicle in accordance with the require.- ments ordisplaying lamps of this class. Projecting downwardly some distance from spaced parts of the lower edge of the rear wall 16 are two brackets 24 and 25 to which may be suspended a sign, or the usual plate, as 26, having the license number of the vehicle thereon. In the side wall 18 of the section 11 ,adjacent to its lower edge is an opening through which extends the head 27 of a well-known form of spring catch,'as 28, provided on the lower part of this side wall.

The hollow section 12 is made of a size to adapt it to fit in the hollow section 13. The section 12 has a top plate 29 with a eircular opening 29a therethrough, and projecting into the opening toward each other from opposite parts oil the side edffe portions of the top plate are two lugs 30 and 31 each having a hole therethrough. Diverging downwardly on similar 1in clines in opposite directions from the ends of the top plate are side Walls 32 and 33 the lower end portions of which are bent to'provide short vertically disposed portions, as 34 and 35, the latter wall being indented to provide a recess 36 for reception of the head 27 ot the spring catch 28 to removably hold the section 12 in the section 11 when disposed therein. Soldered, or otherwise held in the lower ends of the vertical portions 34 and 35 ot the side Walls 32 and 33 is a frame 37 having upon its inner edges a continuous groove 38 in which is inserted a plate of glass, or other transparent material, as 39. Projecting in Opposite directions from the side edges of the frame 37 at one end thereof are two pins 40 and 4 1 which are rota tahly disposed through holes provided in the front wall and the rear wall of the section 11 adjacent to its corner which is opposite to the spring 'catch 28. The section 12 is thereby hingedly connected to the section l1 so as to be swung inwardly and outwardly through the open underside 19 thereof, and said section 12 is .of a width and length to adapt it to be 'freely directed into the section 12. but to lit snugly therein so that the transparent plate 39 and its frame may close the lower end o't the casing of the lamp. rlhe section 12 is of considerably less height than the section 11, and

by forming the top plate 29 and thev side walls 32 and 33 of the section 12 in the manner described these parts of the section will serve as a removable partition to provide the upper chamber 13while the hollow interior of the section 12 provides the lower chainber 14 when the sections are intcrittcd. These part-s will then be held against accidental displacement by the head 27 o'l the catch 28 being sprung into the recess 36 of the section 12,

isomer In' the upper chamber 13 of the casing 10 is a lamp 42 of the form of an incandescent bulb adapted to be lighted by electricity, and in the lower chamber 14 of the casing is second lamp 43 of a similar type to the lamp 42 and which is also adapted to be lighted by electricity. Serving as means for removably mounting the lamps 42 and 43 in super-posed relation in the chambers of the casing, a socket, as'44, is provided. The socket 44 may be of any suitable form, but I prefer to employ the type of socket herein described, and which is not specifically claimed as part of this present invention. The socket 44 has a supporting member, or disk 45, and a lower member, or sleeve 46. The sleeve 46 is provided with an opening 47 midway therethrough, the wall of which is lined with copper, or other metal, as 4.17", which is a conductor of electricity and in this opening is inserted the neck of the electric lamp 43 for lighting the lower chamber of the casing. Projecting from the sleeve 46 is an annular L-sliaped flange 48 which abuts against 'the underside of thc disk 45 so that the sleeve proper is spacedr "rom the disk to provide a lower chamber 49 come municating with the opening 47. On top of the disk 45 is an upper member, or sleeve 50 having an opening 51 through its center. The wall ot the opening 51 is also lined with copper, or other metal, as 51, which 1s a conductor ot electricity, and in this opening is seated the electric lamp 42 for lighting the upper chamber of the casing 10. The sleeve 50 has au annular .inverted L-shaped flange 53 the lower edge of which is disposed ir close proximity to the -top surface of the disk 45 whereby the sleeve will be spaced from tln disk to provide an upper chamber which conununicatcs with the opening 51. The disk 45, and the sleeves 46 and 50 are made of porcelain, or other non-con ductfive material, and these parts re sccured together as well as being het' to the top plate '29 of the section 12 by providing through the disk, and through each of the sleeves two registered openings. When the socket 44 is applied tothe lamp the sleeve 50 is disposed on the upper surface. of the top plate 29 of thc-side walls of tlu` section l2, and the disk 45 with the sleeve 46 is disposed under this top plate. These parts are then arranged so that the registered openings thereof are in register with the holes ol the lugs 30 and 31 of the top plate 29, and by the use of bolts 54 and 54" passed through the registered openings :lud through the holes ot the top plate the socket will be rcnmrably hold to the section 1 2 of thc'ilump. '.lhrough the annular flange 53 of the sleeve 59 are three spaced openings 55, 56, 57 all are inserted metal tubes 58, 59, 60 of lengths somewhat longer' than the passages of the' disk, and the passage of each of these metal tubes is in register' with one of the spaced openings of the sleeve 50. Also through the disk 45 are three openings in which are inserted bolts 61, 62, G3, and these bolts are' longer `than the width of the disk. Connected t0 the lower end of the bolt 61 and to the lower end of the metal tube 58 is a contact 64 which is arranged in the lower chamber 49 of the socket so as to be engaged by one of the contacts 65 of the lower electric lamp. Also disposed in the lower chamber 49, and to the bolt 62 as well as to the .metal tube 59 is connected an end portion of a contact 66, and this contact is arranged so that the other end thereof ,will be engaged by the second Contact 67 of the electric lamp. onnected to the upper end of the bolt G1 and to the upper end of the metal tube 58 is a con-v tact G8 disposed in the upper chamber 54C of the socket for engagement by one oi the contacts of the second electric lamp. To the upper end of the bolt G2 and to the upper end of the metal tube 59 is connected one end of a contact G9 arranged in the.

upper chamber so that its other end will be engaged by the second contact of said elec tric lamp,

ln order to supply current tor lighting the lamps 42 and 43, in the vehicle is provided an electric circuit, as 70, leading from a battery 71 which may be of any' desired make. To one pole of the battery 7l is connected one end of a wire `72 having a split plug73 on its other end, and this plug is adapted to be removably inserted through' the opening of the sleeve 50 and also adapted` to be relnovably inserted into the met-alytube 58 ot the socket for permitting the wir'e to be detachablyv contacted with f6() of the socket.'l The other end of' the the contacts G-L and 68 of the socket. `From the second pole of the battery l is a. wire 7tlleading to a switch75 of any ordinary form which when moved accordingly will engage the contact on one endot a wire 76. On the other end of the wire 76 a split"` plug, as 77, which is adaptedfto be remov'- ably inserted through the opening 50ct the' sleeve 50 and also adapted to be renjiovably inserted in lthe metal tube` 59 of the socket.

By directing the plugs 73 and 77- 'into the metal tubes 58 and 59, respectively, the cir cuit will bc closed from the battery over the wire 72, through the plug 73, through the metal tube 58 and contact 64, through the lamp 43, through the contact 6G and metal tube 59, through the split plug 7 7,' over the wire 76, through the switch 75, and over the wire 74 to the battery. The red danger signal in the` lower part of the lamp will thereby be displayed.

Serving as means for also employing the light trom the lamp 43 for prominently displaying the license number ot the vehicle on the plate 26 especially at night, in the section 12 of the casing l() and over the lamp yft2 are two reflectors 78 and 79 which are disposed in downwardly diverging directions. One ot the reflectors 78 and 79 is held to the underside of each of the diverging sidewalls 32 and 33 of the section 12 of the casing l() so that the rays of the light from the lamp 43 will be retracted in crosswise` directions through the transparent plate 39 in the lower end of the section 412. The license number ot the vehicle may ythen be plainly seen in entirety at night. The reflectors 78 and 79 are preferably in the forms of glass mirrors, or by silverplating, or nickel-plating the inner surfaces of the walls of the section l() suitable reflectors may be provided to permit the glass mirrors to be dispensed with.

For the purpose of permitting the lamp 42 in the upper chamber of the casing 10 to be intermittently lighted whereby the Stop signal will be displayed when the 'speed of the vehicle is checked while traveling, to the switch is connected one end of a wire 80 having its other end connected to a switch 81 which may be in the form of a through the opening 57 of theV sleeve 50 ofy the socket, and this 'plug is also adapted to be removably 'directed into the metal tube switch'8l' ishpivotallyconnected to one end of a link, as 8 5, having its otherend pivoted to the operating rod ofthe brake mechanism, as 8G, ot the vehicle. To provide for lighting the lamp 412 for intermittently disinsertedjin the metal tube GO of thesocket after being passed through the opening 57 of thesleeve'O.V When the brake mecha-A To lightthe `lamp in the rlower chamber of the casing l0 the switch 75 is moved intoj` engagement with the contact of the wire 761 nism 80isfapplied'to vcheck the speed of'the "playinglth'e fStop signal, the yplug 8-t is theI switch 81into" engagement with the con 'l tactotthe wire 83.Wllhe'circuit willl thereby be closed frol'nthe battery over the wire 74 throu'h'thcswitch 75 overthc wire 80 throughlthc switch" 8l, over vthe wire 8S,

throughl the 'plug'y 84 and the metal tube 60,

through contact 69 the upper chamber of the socket, through the lamp'e, through the contact 68, through the plug 73, and over the wire 72 to the battery. When the brake mechanism is released the link 85 and the switch 81 will be reversely moved, and this' circuit will be opened for cutting-olf vthe Stop signal. Frequent accidents will thereby be obviated by thus overcomingall doubt as to whether the vehicle is traveling or not. Obviously by constructing the section 12 so as to be adapted to be guided in- 'wardly and outwardly of the open undernected from the socket of the lamps, and

should the glass plate of the section 12 be broken it may be easily replenished.

' In the foregoing description, I have embodiedthe preferred form of my invention,

but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that modiications may be made therein without de parting from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore I reservel to myself the ri ht"o make such changes as fairly fall within theA scope of the appended claims. i

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a vehicle lamp, a casing having an outer hollow section formed with an open underside, an inner hollow section movably i intertitting the outer section, and having section,

side walls formed to serve as a movable partition to provide -the casing with upper and lower compartments, said inner section also having an open end communicating with the open underside of the outer casing, a transparent plate in the open end of the inner means on the outer section for carrying a sign below the open underside of the casing, a socket provided on the wall of the inner section, two electric lamps mounted in the socket, one disposed inthe upper compartment and one disposed in the lower compartment, an electric circuit, and means for removably connecting the electric eircuit to the lamps, reflectors Within the inner section, and arranged to reiect the light from the lower lamp through the transparent plate of the inner section, and saidinner section being hingedly connected to the outer section so as to be swung inwardly and outwardly of the outer section whereby thc electric lamp may be replaced when Vdamaged as well as permitting the electric circuit to be disconnected from the socket.

2. In a vehicle lamp, a casing having an outer hollow section formed with an o underside, an inner hollow section moya) interfitting the outer section, and having' side walls formed to divide the casing into separable upper and lower compartments, a transparent plate in the outer section for permitting a light to serve as a danger signal to be displayed therethrough from the lower compartment, means also provided in the outer section to permit a light from the upper compartment to be displayed to serve as a Stop signal, a socket on the Wall'lof the inner section, two electric lamps mounted in the socket, one disposed in the upper eomi partment and one'disposed in the lower com-l l partment, and an electric circuit adapted 'to 80" be closed when the brake mechanism is applied to check the speed of the vehicle whereby the lamp in the upper compartment may be lighted, and adapted to be opened to extinguish the light when the brake mechanism is released, and said inner section-being hingedly connected to the outer section so as to be swung inwardly and outwardly ofthe outer section whereby the electric lampsl may be replaced when damaged as well as' permitting the electric circuit to be discon-."

nected from the socket. 3. In a vehicle lamp, a casing having outer hollow section formed with an open underside, an ihner'hollow sectiomremovef',

ably interfitting the outer section, and having side walls formed to'divide the casing into separable upper and lower eompart ments, said inner section also having an open end communicating with the open underside of the outer casing, means on the outer section for carrying a sign below the open underside of the casing, a transparent plate in the outer section for permittin a light to serve as a danger signal to be is'- played therethrough from the lower compartment, means also .provided in the outer section to permit a light from the upper compartment to be displayed to serve as a.

Stop signal, a socket on the wall of the inner section, two electric lamps mounted inthe socket, one disposed in the upper compartment and one in the lower compartment, means on the socket to permit an'electric circuitl to be removably connected to the lamps whereby the lamp in the upper con Jartment may be lighted when the brake mechanism is applied to stop the vehicle, and the li ht may be extinguished when the brake mec anism is released.

This specification signed I and witnessed this fifth day of January A. D. 1914.

LAURENS P. DIXON.

Vitnesses Roar. B. Annor'r, M. DsnMoDY. 

